Homographs

My grandpa plays the double bass in a jazz band. In this sentence, what does the word bass mean?

• A type of freshwater fish

• A low-pitched musical sound or instrument

• The bottom or foundational part of something

• A type of tree common in North America

Answer explanation

The context clues 'jazz band' and 'plays' indicate that bass (pronounced /beɪs/) refers to a musical instrument, not a fish (pronounced /bæs/).

Match the homograph in each sentence to the description of its pronunciation.

• Pronounced to rhyme with 'go'

• I read that book yesterday.

• Pronounced like 'red'

• Don't tear the paper.

• Pronounced to rhyme with 'sinned'

• The archer used a bow and arrow.

• Pronounced to rhyme with 'air'

• The wind is strong today.

Answer explanation

The context of each sentence determines the correct pronunciation. 'Read' (past tense) sounds like 'red', 'bow' (weapon) rhymes with 'go', 'tear' (rip) rhymes with 'air', and 'wind' (air movement) rhymes with 'sinned'.

In which sentence is the word object used as a verb?

• The mysterious object washed up on the shore.

• What is the object of this game?

• I object to your unfair accusation!

• She drew a still life of a bowl and another object.

Answer explanation

In this sentence, 'object' (ob-JECT) is an action word meaning to protest or disagree. In the other options, 'object' (OB-ject) is a noun, referring to a thing or a goal.

Sort the sentences based on the meaning of the word content.

Groups:

(a) Feeling Satisfied

,

(b) The Substance Inside

• Please check the table of contents at the front of the book.

• She was content to just sit and read.

• After a good meal, he felt content.

• The content of the box was a surprise.

Answer explanation

'Content' can be an adjective (con-TENT) meaning satisfied or a noun (CON-tent) meaning the material held within something. The context of each sentence clarifies which meaning is used.

In the sentence, 'She received a beautiful present for her birthday,' the word present means 'a gift.' How is the word pronounced to convey this meaning?

• With stress on the first syllable (PRE-sent)

• With stress on the second syllable (pre-SENT)

• With equal stress on both syllables

• It is pronounced the same as when it means 'to give'

Answer explanation

The noun 'present' (a gift) is stressed on the first syllable (PRE-sent). The verb 'present' (to give or show) is stressed on the second syllable (pre-SENT). The context of the sentence indicates it is a noun.

The details were so minute, I needed a magnifying glass to see them. What does minute mean here?

• A period of 60 seconds

• The official notes from a meeting

• Extremely small

• Happening very quickly

Answer explanation

The context clue 'magnifying glass' indicates that 'minute' (pronounced my-NOOT) means very small, not the unit of time (pronounced MIN-it).

Match the sentence to the part of speech of the bolded homograph.

• Adjective (near)

• Please close the door.

• Verb (to allow)

• The school is close to my house.

• Noun (an official document)

• They won't permit you to enter without a ticket.

• Verb (to shut)

• You need a parking permit.

Answer explanation

The function of the word in the sentence determines its part of speech. In 'close the door,' 'close' is a verb. In 'close to my house,' 'close' is an adjective. 'A parking permit' is a noun (stressed on PER-mit), while 'won't permit you' is a verb (stressed on per-MIT).

Which pair of words are homographs but NOT homophones?

• there / their

• bat / bat

• read / read

• to / too

Answer explanation

Homographs are spelled the same. Homophones sound the same. The words 'read' (present tense) and 'read' (past tense) are spelled the same but pronounced differently (/reed/ vs. /red/), making them homographs but not homophones.

In which sentence is the bolded word used as a verb, indicated by the stress being placed on the second syllable?

• The band will record their new album next month.

• She kept a detailed record of her expenses.

• The main subject of the debate was the economy.

• The loud protest could be heard for blocks.

Answer explanation

When homographs like 'record,' 'subject,' and 'protest' are used as verbs, the stress is on the second syllable (re-CORD, sub-JECT, pro-TEST). When they are used as nouns, the stress is on the first syllable (RE-cord, SUB-ject, PRO-test). In the correct sentence, 'record' is a verb meaning to capture sound.

I have to wind the old clock every night before bed. How is the word wind pronounced in this sentence?

• To rhyme with 'find'

• To rhyme with 'sinned'

• To rhyme with 'tuned'

• To rhyme with 'owned'

Answer explanation

The verb 'wind' (to turn or coil) is pronounced with a long 'i' sound, rhyming with 'find'. The noun 'wind' (moving air) is pronounced with a short 'i' sound, rhyming with 'sinned'.